In July's People by Nadine Gordimer the Smales family is forced to hide away in the bush land with their servant, a black man from the bushlands named July. The relationships between the main characters Bam, Maureen, and July change as they encounter trials and hardships.

In the beginning of the book, Maureen and July are on good terms, but as time progresses, she realizes that July sees them like the rest of the white Africans. July and Maureen's relationship in the beginning of the book was a caring relationship much like a loyal servant to his master. July gives them tea in the beginning of the book and Maureen says, "Thank you, July, thank you very much. (2)" Maureen addresses July just as a master would to a servant showing that Maureen still in a way considers him as such. July later on realizes this and acknowledges this...